IRELAND, 1985

Note: in 1984 I took a "Frames Tours" trip to the UK. Super trip. In 1985, I took another adding a few days in Ireland. Unfortunately Frames is chartered only in the UK, so must sub-contract any Ireland portions to another (Irish) company. It wasn't the best of deals. The rest of the trip (when we got back to the UK) was, as expected, excellent.

Ireland

Sunday: After a delayed departure from the Frames station in London, drive very slowly to Gatwick. After a very long wait, take a very delayed flight on Wright Flyer, Model III, to another airport, arriving 4 1/2 hours late (Supposed to be Dublin; at least the sign in airport says so). In the dark, drive up and down hills to hotel. Security guards at door to keep out rioters. Police in halls to keep rioters out of hotel via construction scaffolding.

Monday: This tour has been sub-contracted to Joe's Rent-a-Wreck and Busted-Bus Tour Company. Leave very early (quickest way out of town to avoid traffic and left-over rioters) and drive up and down hills past green fields to Westport. No idea what anything is - the PA system doesn't work, and the driver/guide can either watch where he's driving (hopefully) or turn around and yell at us (not preferred).

Tuesday: Drive up and down hills past green fields to our lunch stop somewhere in Ireland. Drive up and down hills past green fields back to Westport.

Wednesday: Drive up and down hills past green fields to the Cliffs of Moher and O'Brien's Tower (our first tourist stop). Then drive up and down more hills past more green fields to Limerick.

Thursday: Highlight: Early AM, help young lady push car 2 blocks up/down hill in order to start it by coasting back down-hill (downtown Limerick, no green fields).

Drive up and down hills past green fields to Killarney. Ride jaunting cart (old one-horse hay cart) up and down (one) hill through green field. Drive up and down hills through rain to Kenmare Bay (Green fields assumed. Invisible in the rain).

Friday: (Day on our own) Walk up and down hills through green fields to old castle (large pile of rocks), and Druid stones (small pile of rocks). Walk up and down hills to see port (watch duck swim out to sea).

Saturday: Drive up and down hills past green fields to Blarney Castle (second tourist stop). Go through contortionist act to kiss Blarney Stone. Drive up and down hills past green fields to Kilkenny. Second highlight: ice water with dinner. (two-star day!!!)

Sunday: Drive up and down hills past green fields to Dublin airport. Take flying sardine can back to London. Drive slowly up and down hills back to London. Walk from Frames terminal back to hotel (green field across from hotel).